Event Photography - Challenging Lighting and Opportunities to Connect

Shooting events can allow you to achieve two goals:  1) improve your ability to photograph in challenging lighting 2)  relate and get connected to people.

As a rotarian and a professional photographer there are lots of opportunities to journal day to day week to week events and activities rotarians are involved in to better their local and global communities.

This past Thursday Kathy Thomas, owner operator of The Bronze Frog Gallery, President of Rotary stepped down to induct the new president of Rotary Central Burlington, Jamie Edwards.
What could be more perfect then presenting  a slide show of past events Kathy Thomas was involved with and a photo book to commemorate her year as President.  Easy to do if you have the photography skills and enjoy doing that sort of thing without getting paid.  Just do it and don't expect much.  It is amazing what transpires along the way...

Against my own will I do a lot of gratis work/favours for friends but I usually benefit by getting some paid work out of the exchange. So give a little get a little applies here.  You just have to apply the breaks when there's too many requests for free photography.  A photographic scene photography instructor I know once said, "  You don't expect your Uncle George to give you free lawyer's fees so give me some respect and pay my photography fees."

I met Kathy at an event in Burlington for Bernard Scrivener.  A friend of mine had bought out a share of his store.  Dan offered me the opportunity to connect with his network which had more value then an hourly rate.  Well that was the best connection I have ever made, a connection to an intelligent business woman, a friend and a fellow rotarian.  Kathy hired me to photograph events at the Bronze Frog Gallery in Oakville.  Artists like Anna Razumovskaya and her son Ivan , Tim Cotteril, The Frogman to name a few.  She also introduced me to Rotary and convinced me to join.   Now Dan from Scrivener's is allowing me to come in and suit up my two young model clientele for their next shoot, a win win situation for both of us and the models as they have access to style and exposure.  


The rest is history... 
Check out a few photos from the Rotary event this past Thursday and my other event photos:

Kathy Thomas stepping down speech

Jamie Edwards first dance of the evening with Vera his Mom

http://thomascole.smugmug.com/Events

Laughter is the best element of photographic design

First Dance
Candid shot of a relieved Bride and Groom
Finally after the formalities the fun begins.

Pre Wedding Fun in the Sun
The bride and groom took advantage of some high key sunlit shots before the wedding when they were more relaxed.

Dock Party

Wedding Party Jumps for Joy as the photo session in the hot sun comes to a close.  Jump shots are the most fun and do cause a lot of laughs.  Good one to start with to loosen everyone up.  Wedding took place later at sunset at the puopa on the shore.

http://smu.gs/wjtrZr

Bride and Groom take the plunge two days after the wedding!
Trash the dress photos turned out nice, usually best one hour 
after sunrise or one hour before sunset for best light. 

http://smu.gs/yyi37c

Tun up the Heat on A Cold Day

Winter's finally here, it's cold and your feeling it.
Change it up - feel the love and bring on the heat with a boudoir shoot.
Valentine's Day is only one month away so you don't have much time.

Book between Jan 14 and 21st or Jan 30th and Feb 6th.  Bookings made between Jan 14 and 21st can create a for his eyes only or her eyes only printed book.  Bookings between Jan 30th and Feb 6th photos or DVDs can be completed in time with music.

If you are too busy to complete by Valentine's Day there's always your anniversary.  A mixture of tasteful portraits of you alone, you and your other half can be a fun and sensuous experience to rediscover each others best assets.

Call Marie Cresswell 9053341167 to book your session or email me at mcresswell@thomascoleinc.com

Taking Time to Get Organized

Booking Weddings now for Spring & Summer

Cactus Wireless Flash Trigger the perfect solution for my Metz 76 Mecablitz Flash for back or side lighting

Book a Boudoir shoot for the perfect gift for your lover for Valentine's Day

Rotolight                                        

Take Time to Get Organized and Prepare


I was just getting ready for Remi & Warren's wedding shoot, taking place in Cozumel, Mexico, January 24th by trying all of my equipment and different lighting set ups. I can't believe how much equipment I will need to haul but I love the newest gadgets and lighting set ups I have acquired:

Rotolight is a very bright video light which changes colour by simply changing the filter, very effective for close range HD video for weddings and or interviews.

Metz Mecablitz 76 was something I bought and have not been able to use much though it is quite a strong and effective mini strobe. I didn't have a sync chord for the longest time. I recently purchased a Cactus Trigger which has made my life easy. I also love to use my speed light off camera with my pocket wizards. Now I am all set creatively to light my clients both bridal and boudoir to show them in their best light

The past couple of nights I spent watching You tube videos on other weddings that took place at the Grand Occidental in Cozumel to get a preview of the area I will be capturing with Warren and Remi.  A lot of ideas have been coming to mind especially late at night.  I am so excited it is going to be so much fun.  I am ready to shoot it now!!!

What occupies your time?

Over the holidays my time was well spent with family, friends, my dog max and my lovely appendage, my 5D and my 50D cameras.

While photographing people has got to be my most favourite subject I sure did miss photographing a snowy wintry scene for my annual Christmas card.  So I intend on doing that the next couple of weeks for next years card, great to plan ahead.

Back to What occupies your time?  Worrying or being present?  A combination of both.  For me I can honestly admit a little of both.  Though I have read and practised Jon Cabot Zinn's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc work (Full Catastrophe Living)  and value present moment practises like yoga and meditation, it is a lifelong journey and process for me.  My favourite presents were my family visits.

However, here are a few of my favourite moments that have occupied the past week:

Top moment - Cole recording his work at www.hannahkin.com for a commercial video for solar https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Marie%20%281%29/slifab%20logo%20-%20Computer.m4v?w=ef9667ef

 

Kids dancing and jumping till they drop

A still moment before dinner on the couch with the kids

Kids plotting how to catch Max

Max pooped from playing with Kids, listens to Cole play new song

Aunt Cathy's visit

Sharing boxing day dinner with Marc, Stephanie, Michael and Genny